Bus drivers trained to tackle violence against women and girls

Stagecoach East, a major bus operator in Cambridgeshire and parts of Bedfordshire, is set to provide additional training to its drivers to help prevent violence against women and girls.

The programme includes a full day of training on identifying and reacting to potential threats that women and girls face.

This training will be conducted by Stagecoach East's Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Trainers over the next twelve months, continuing thereafter.

The initiative is aimed at drivers with over two years of experience, while those with less will receive local training.

This effort is part of existing safeguarding measures, including CCTV on buses.

Managing Director Darren Roe remarked on the importance of this initiative: "Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is something that we all need to take responsibility for. We hope this training, along with the CCTV cameras on every bus, will deter would-be abusers."

Stagecoach East is also partnering with local organisations such as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Police Authority and the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Centre to form the Buses and Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) scheme.

This includes authorising drivers to aid those in need by offering support on the street and escorting them to a safe place along the route if necessary.

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